Fox developing U.S. version of 'Torchwood'Original producing team on board to adapt U.K. series

By James Hibberd

Jan 19, 2010, 10:00 AM EThr/photos/stylus/121838-torchwood_341.jpg

"Torchwood"Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series "Torchwood."

The project is from BBC Worldwide Prods., with original series creator Russell Davies writing the script.

A more straight-faced spinoff of "Doctor Who," "Torchwood" is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity. Two series aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year's well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, "Children of Earth," which broke all ratings records for the network.

Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, "Torchwood" fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Davies' producing partner Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show's first season) and Jane Tranter (another BBC vet, now exec vp programming and production at BBC Worldwide Prods. in the U.S.).

Also, some of the current cast -- most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness -- might star if Fox orders "Torchwood" to pilot.

As for the new show's plot, the U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the first two BBC seasons.

Tranter might try to reboot "Doctor Who" for U.S. audiences while departing "Doctor Who" star David Tennant stars in NBC's pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer." "Torchwood" (which is an anagram of "Doctor Who") debuted in 2006 on BBC 3 and set ratings records, then was moved to BBC 1. Russell also reinvented "Doctor Who" in 2003 and was writer-creator of the series "Queer as Folk."Fox developing U.S. version of 'Torchwood'Original producing team on board to adapt U.K. series

If fox were to reboot Dr Who for the US again, I hope they use Paul McGann. Beyond that it is something I hope never happens

"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore," "Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer

Favorite Bond Movie: The Dark Knight Trilogy, Mission: Impossible and The November Man or any upcoming actioners starring Pierce Brosnan (no, it's not James Bond which is good since it will help him expand his reputation as an actor especially in the action realm)

A reboot of Doctor Who is a very bad idea. RTD avoid this in 205, much to his credit. If they could get David Tennant it might be decent althou they should avoid rebooting in my opinion maybe make it a Missing Adventures series bringing back McGann and Tennant

"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore," "Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer

The Fox Network has decided not to continue with plans for a US version of Torchwood.

BBC Worldwide have issued a statement saying that

BBC Worldwide Productions and the FOX Broadcasting Company have mutually agreed not to progress together with a 13-episode serialized 'Torchwood' format. We are currently in discussion with several interested networks.

Fox's involvement in developing an American version of the series was first reported in January. Russell T Davies was reported to be writing a pilot script, with Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter acting as executive producers. Tranter said that despite the withdrawal of Fox from the project, it is "still very much ongoing and very much alive."

Tranter has also dismissed rumours that an American version of Doctor Who was being planned. "It may well be confusing to have a British Doctor and an American Doctor at the same time" she said, "there is only one Doctor, so I don't see that happening".

"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore," "Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer